Hybrid Vs. Tankless Water Heaters

Water heater leaking water

If you are in the market for a newwater heater you have a couple of options to consider – a hybrid water heater ora tankless water heater? When making this decision it helps to know thedifference between a tankless and a hybrid water heater. Knowing thedifferences between the two, along with the pros and cons of each will help youselect the best fit for your lifestyle, usage, and budget.

Hybrid Water Heater

Hybrid water heaters use electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly. Therefore, they can be two to three times more energy efficient than conventional electric water heaters. To move the heat, heat pumps work like a refrigerator in reverse. They draw the air from the room they occupy in, heat it up and then dump it in the tank to heat the water.

Pros:

  • 10-year warranty – If you begin to experience any issues with your hybrid water heater, we’ve got you covered for a DECADE! No strings attached.
  • Up to 3.48 Energy Factor (EF) – These Energy Star certified hybrid water heaters are capable of saving you up to $330 a year or $3,500 over its lifespan.
  • Standard electrical connections – There are no extra hoops to jump through. Just install your hybrid water heater properly, and you’re good to go.
  • Keep existing electrical panel – There’s no need to call the electrician for an upgrade; hybrid water heaters will run on the same electrical system as a standard water heater.
  • No water treatment required – In Orlando water comes from the Floridan Aquifer. While the water is high quality, some types of water heaters require a water softener to be installed in order to maintain the warranty. With a hybrid water heater, no such device is required.
  • A smart investment – While a hybrid water heater is more expensive than your standard water heater, it’ll pay itself off in as little as two years! 

Cons:

  • Cost more than a traditional water heater, however they can pay themselves off in as little as 2 years!
  • Occupies more space and can’t be placed directly outside.
  • Needs to have its air filter replaced regularly to keep it functioning properly.
  • Requires a condensate drain – As your water is heated, the hybrid heater collects moisture that will need to be drained out of your home.

Tankless Water Heater

A tankless water heater uses electricity or gas to warm up cool water on-demand whenever you need it, rather than storing the hot water in a tank.

Pros:

  • Tankless water heaters have a lifespan of 20+ years, almost double a traditional water heater’s life. 
  • Installation does not require much space and a tankless water heater can even be installed on an outside wall.
  • Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand, providing two to three gallons of hot water per minute.  On demand means no worries of running out of heated water or having to wait for a new batch of water to heat.

Cons:

  • The initial costs can be twice as much as a traditional water heater. 
  • Replacing a traditional water heater with a tankless system can be complicated and can increase the installation costs even more. 
  • To run your whole home off tankless water heaters you may need to purchase 2, 3 or even 4 units depending on the size of your family to ensure you have enough hot water when needed making these systems quite costly.

At Rainaldi Home Services we make it our job to help assist you in making the best decision for your personal needs and budget when purchasing a water heater in Orlando and Central Florida.  Give us a call (407) 413-9795 or contact us online and we can help you select the best water heater for your home and lifestyle.

Rainaldi Home Services provides fast, dependable plumbing and HVAC services to Orlando, Apopka, Kissimmee, Longwood, Oviedo, Winter Park and the Greater Orlando Area.

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